The Edtech Podcast #302 The Secret Sauce: Why Children Still Need Humans in a Digital World
Jan 2, 2026
Rob Hughes is a doctor, researcher, and co-founder of Tandem, dedicated to creating child-centered generative AI tools. In their discussion, Rob reveals how Tandem is transforming screen time into active parenting through co-creation and shared reading. He emphasizes the importance of keeping human connections in a digital age, addressing the risks of children forming attachments to robots. Rob also touches on the ethical considerations of AI, the need for bias audits, and how thoughtful tech design can foster deeper human interaction, ensuring a brighter future for child development.
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Episode notes
Screens As Co‑Creative Tools
- Tandem reframes screens as tools for co-creation between parent and child rather than passive consumption.
- The product uses generative AI and child development science to encourage shared storytelling and reading.
Design For Human Interaction
- Design digital experiences that deliberately encourage human-human interaction during use.
- Use passive sensing and nudges to prompt conversation, questions, and shared reading moments.
Swap Guilt For Better Design
- Parenting guilt around screen time creates a taboo that discourages constructive solutions.
- Instead of vilifying screens, build safer, interaction-focused technology to displace harmful uses.